CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley University Athletics Director Jen Benway has announced Doug Porrell as the new head coach for the Lynx men's volleyball program. A former head coach at Mount Ida College and Emmanuel College, Porrell brings an extensive level of experience to the Lesley sideline.
"We are very fortunate to be adding a coach like Doug to our staff," said Benway. "He's a skilled, seasoned coach that we believe will elevate our program, increase our recruiting efforts, and have a positive impact on our student-athletes. He has the knowledge and the tools that can turn our program around quickly."
Porrell spent six seasons as the men's volleyball head coach at nearby Mount Ida College where he accumulated more victories than any coach in the program's history. Also during his time with the Mustangs, he coached seven North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) and Great Northeast Athletic Conference All-Conference selections and set a program record in single season wins in 2010.
Prior to his time at Mount Ida, Porrell had a three year stint at Emmanuel College. After serving as an assistant during his first season with the Saints, he spent the final two years at Emmanuel as the program's head men's volleyball coach. In 2004, he led the Saints to a program record 15 wins and its first ever NECVA Tournament appearance.
Porrell also served as the head coach of the USA International Collegiate All-Star team in 2008 and 2010. He led the 2008 team to a second place finish, marking the highest finish for the U.S. in tournament history.
A 1999 graduate of Marist College, Porrell was a member of the school's intercollegiate club volleyball squad, serving as player-coach for numerous seasons. He also assisted the women's NCAA Division I volleyball team in scouting and recruiting during his time at Marist. Porrell also coached the John Jay High School Girl's Varsity Volleyball Team to an 18-2 overall record and an appearance in the Section 9, Class A New York State Finals in 1997.
Porrell served as a Head Coach at the Bob Bertucci NCAA YES Clinic held during the 2005 NECVA Championships at Ramapo College in New Jersey. He was also a head coach for the 2003 Nike High Performance Volleyball Camp at MIT and the 2004 MassSpike Volleyball Camp at Brandeis College.
As a player, Porrell was a three-time member of the Bay State Games Southeast Region Men's Open Team and a member of the 2000-01 Set Me Men's Volleyball Club. He has played for the MIT GVC Men's AA Volleyball team since 2004, which took home silver medals at the 2004 USAV Nationals in the Men's AA-U-Volley and Men's A divisions in the Gold Bracket, and won the 2009 Men's A Copper Bracket.